Traffic-signal for autos



H. J. HANKEE.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR AUTOS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14. 1919.

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TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR AUTOS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I4. 1919.

1,327,671 Patented Jan. 13, 1920.

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TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR AUTOS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14, 1919.

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TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR AUTOS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.14,19I9.

1,327,671 Patented J n. 13, 1920.

H. J. HANKEE.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR AUTOS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14. 1919.

Patnted Jan. 13,1920.

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Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J an. 13, 1920.

Application nleail mn 14,1919; Serial No. 282,618.

7 To all whom. it may Be it known that 1,-HARKY J. HANKEE,

' citizen of the United States,-residing at magnet on magnets will be fixed and the armature or armatures will be movable.

Minneapolis, in the "county of Hennepin. and State of. Minnesota, have invented certain 'new and useful Improvements in Traffic-Signals for, Autos; and I do hereby declare the following to'be a full, clear, and exact description 0 the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which 'it appertains to make an use the, same.

provides an extremely simple and highly efiicient improve- Broadly, my inventio ment in electromagnetic devices for producing vibratory motion. It involvesthe use of a fieldmagnet or magnets and a c06pera-' tivearmature or armatures combined with a so-called full stroke device in the nature of a cam subject to a spring in one direction and adapted to be 'electrically moved against a spring in the opposite dlrectlon. More than the first half of the vibratory movement is-produced by the energy of the electromagnet or magnets and resultmg momentum of the part moved, and the remaining portion of thevi'bratory movement is produced by the spring acting on the cam devices.

The vibratory movement will usually be an oscillatory movement on the axis that 1s concentric with the axis of the moving armature or armatures; and usually the field device of this character may be put to a large number of different uses. It is exceedingly well adapted for use in moving.

traffic signals on automobiles or for moving the reflectors-of headlights to vary the projection of a light beam on the road.

A commercial form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawing; Figure 1 is a perspective v1ew showing the invention incorporated in a traflic signal on an automobile;

Fig. 2 is a wirin diagram for two signals located, one on eac side of the automobile; Fig. 3 is a rear elevation. of the'traffic signal shown in Fig. 1;

' Fig. 4 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 3, some parts being sectioned;

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are enlarged sections taken through the electromagnetical motion devices of the trafiic signal approximately on the hue 57 of Fig. 4, but illustrating different positions of the armatures and semaphore;

Flgs. 5, 6 and 6 are views of the parts shown singly in Figs. 5 and 6, with the casing and certain other parts sectioned, but

with the field magnets andsome other parts in full;

' Figs. ,5", 6, 6 and 7 are detail views showing the relation of a so-called full stroke cam and coiiperating cam pin when the parts are, respectively, in the position shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

Fig. 8 is' a perspective view with some parts sectloned and some parts broken away,

to 8inclusive, will first be described. Re-

ferring first to Fig. 1, it is only necessary to note that the trafiic signal is shown as applied. to one side of the wind-shield frame and is electrically connected to a push-button 12 on the steering wheel. The diagram view, Fig. 2, shows the wiring for two traflic signals applied, as stated, one to each side.

of the wind-shield frame and each operated by its own push button 12. To support the semaphore and electro-magnetical motion devices from the wind shield frame, as stated, I have shown a tubular arm'13 provided at its inner end with a suitable clamp 14 for direct connection to said frame 11.

To the outer end of the arm 13, is secured an elbow coupling 15 to which a laterally projecting spindle 16 is rigidly secured. It should be rememberedthat this spindle is fixed so that it cannot rotate.

As shown, and preferably, I employ three field magnetsfl? which, at their inner ends, are rigidly secured to the fixed spindle 16 and project radially therefrom at angles of one hundred and twenty degrees. The spindle 16 is of brass or other non-magnetlc metal, so that the magnetic field circuit is not extended through the said spindle. I

For cooperation with the outer pole of magnets 17 'The armatures 18 are of wrought iron or of soft steel, and preferably they are formed as lateral projections of a common armature plate 19. The extended ends of the armatures 18 are connected by a three-arm bearing plate 20. At the axisof the curve of the armatures 18, the armature plate 19 and bearing plate 20 have axial perforations through which the fixed spindle 16 is passed, so that the complete armature structure is made to vibrate or oscillate on the said spindle.

By reference particularly to. Figs. 5f, 6*" and 6 it will be noted that the inner ends of the magnets 17 are rigidly and directly secured to an iron or soft steel sleeve 21 that is pinned, or otherwise rigidly secured to the spindle. The spindle 16 has a reduced outer end 16 that extends some distance into the sleeve 21, so as to afford a seat for the coiled spri is at t e left, in respect to Figs. 5, 6 and 6 is preferably formed with an' outstanding flange 21 which extends the surface of the common field pole, assisted by that end of the sleeve 21. A thin non-magnetic washer 23 is placed on the reduced end 16 of the spindle, and by the spring 22 is pressed against the common armature plate 19. It-

should now be noted that the entire armature structure is not only mounted on the spindle for vibratory or oscillatory movements, but is free for lateral or axial movements.

The spindle-16, between the bearing plate 20 and the adjacent sides of the electromagnets, is provided with a rigidly secured radially projecting cam pin 24 that coiiperates with a V-shaped cam 25 that is formed as a part of, or otherwise rigidly secured to, said bearing plate 20 and extends concentrically to the axis of the spindle 16. At the extremities of this cam surface, cam 25 is preferably formed with cam'seating depressions 26, the apex of said cam being midway between these depressions. Just beyond said depressions 26, the plate 20 is provided with cam stops 27 The numeral 28 indicates the motor-casing.

The numeral 28* indicates a semaphore arm rigidly attached to and radially projecting from one of the armatures 18 and provided at its outer end with a small lamp housing 29, preferably V-shaped in formation, and containing an electric lamp, not shown, and not necessary for. the purpose of this case, to further consider.

Connected to and projecting radially from 22. That end of the sleeve 21 that the other two armatures 18,. in axial line with the arm 28, is an arm counterbalancing weight 30.

In the diagram view, 2, th e numeral I 31 indicates a light bulb that may be placed in the lamp housings 29 of the semaphore arm 28, and it will be understood that the sald houslng will have transparent front and rear plates, one of which, may be red and the other green, as usually required by traflic laws. The numeral 32 indicates the batteries orsource of electrical energy which may be,

and preferably is, a storage battery cararmatures andplace the light bulbs in circuit only when the semaphore arms are in a si aling position.

e closing of a field circuit by means of a push-button 12 will cause the corresponding field magnets 17 to be energized. It should, of course, be understood that the field magnets 17 of the motor are electrically connected in such a manner that when 'energized, the outer tips of the field poles become like magnetic poles, while the flanged end 21 of the steel sleeve 21, becomes the unlike common pole of the whole magnetic system. For convenience, assume that the multiple armature 18-19 is in its normal position in Figs. 1, 3 and 5, this being the neutral or upright position of the semaphore. In this normal position, the armature and semaphore are held by the engagement of one of the cam depressions 26 with a fixed cam pin 24 (see particularly Fig. 5") under action of the spring 22. In this normal position, the magnetic circuit is through the field poles, across the air gap to the armature faces, thence through the steel plate 19 of the armature and through the air gap and flanged end 21 and body of the steel sleeve 21 to the pole pieces.

Obviously, closing of the field motor circuit, as just described, will magnetically energize such field, as stated, and due to the high permeability of the steel in the magnetic circuit, as compared with that of the air, the magnetic field will exert forces in the direction of its flux lines, and chiefly to decrease the reluctance of the magnetic circuit by decreasing the air gap portion of the circuit. Thus,.a. torque is exerted on the armature in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 5), and this torque exerts a force to move the semaphore arm in a direction from that shown by full lines toward that shown by dotted lines in Figs the instant a like force will attract thearmapie plate 19 in a direction parallel to the a 's of the spindle 16, and-this force will move the armature on that line in a position from that shown in Fig. 5 to the one shown in Fig. 6*; armature releases the cam 25 from the fixed cam pin 24, so that the oscillatory movement produced by the torque is free to throw the armature and semaphore arm from the position shown by full lines Figs. 3 and 5, nearly to the position shown in Fig. 6. The momentum will insure such movement to or slightly beyond the position shown in Fig. 6, and if the circuit be not immediately broken, the armature will assume the position'shown in Fig. 6. In the position shown in Fig. 6, the apex of cam 25 in the direction of the arrows, 'Figs. 5, 6 and 7, is carried slightly beyond fixed cam pin 24, or to a positlon shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 6, 'shows the position of the cam-pin and cam after the parts have been thrown in position shown in Fig. 6, but just after the field circuit has been broken. When the cam, by the action of spring 22 is thrown against fixed cam pin 24:, as shown in Fig. 6 the force of 'said spring, acting on said cam and cam pin, will complete the movement of the armature and semaphore in the direction just noted and cause ,the said cam and armature to assume the position shown in Fig. 7 in which position the armature will then stand, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 3 and the full lines in Fig. 7. Thus it is seen how the spring actuated cam device operates as a full stroke device, to insure the final and complete movement of the armature. and semaphore, and that the cam seating depressions 26 provide a latching device at the completions of said movement.-

When the armature stands in the osition shown in Fig. 7, it is in a similar ut just reverse relation to that shown in Fig. 5, so that when the motor circuit is again closed, the action already described will be repeated in a reverse order and the armature and I semaphore will be again returned to the normal position shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5. 'Fig. 4 shows the manner in which the field leads 33, which are contained in an insulating casing 33*, are brought in through the tubular arm 13, elbow 15 and spindle 16 to the field magnets 17.

Fig. 9 illustrates the invention applied to oscillate the movable reflector of an automobile headlight. Of the parts of the headlight, the numeral 36 indicates the casing which will be supported in the usual, or any suitable way. The numeral 35 indicates the lens and the'numeral 36 the clamping rim of the headlight. The numeral 37 indicates 3and 6. Also, and at and this latter movement of the headlights connected to a car. 'controls the lamp circuit, while switch 45 ing portion of the back of the reflector 37, by a crank rod 42 and a segmental balancing weight 4:3, for increasing the inertia and momentum of the armature elements, is secured to one of the armatures 18. The armature elements, when oscillated, will operate in the same manner as described in connection with the semaphore, and its oscillating movements, will, as is obvious, impart oscillatory movements to the reflector. \Vhen the reflector is in the full line posi. tion, Fig. 9, the light beam will 'be set for long .projection, while when the reflector is set in the dotted line position, the light beam will be thrown upon the ground a v short distance ahead of the machine so as to prevent blinding effects.

Fig. 10 is a wiring diagram for two such Switch 14 controls both motors. Attention is called to the fact that, due to the inherent characteristics of this motor device, two or more may be placed in the same circuit and stay properly synchronized, without further means provided for insuring this uniform action.

From the foregoing, it is evident that this improved electromagnetic motion device, socalled, is capable of a large range of difli'erent applications for producing vibratory, that is, reciprocating or oscillatory movements.

Obviously, the device described, is capable of modification in respect to details, and its arrangement of parts. For instance, so far as the broad invention is concerned, either the magnetic element or the armature element may be oscillated, while the other is fixed, and the cooperating cam elements for insuring completion of the movable element and securing of the same at the limits of its movement, may be interchangeably applied; the important thing being that the said cam elements are thrown out of action by the magnetic force, and are thrown into action when the magnets are deenergized.

The statement that the magnet and armature have outer end poles, means that they are provided with co-acting poles that operate to produce rotation of one of the members in respectto the other, and the statement that they have axial poles means that they have co-acting poles in the vicinity of the axis of oscillation which operate to produce a lateral movement of one of said members in respect to the other.

What I claim is 1. In an electro-mechanical motion device, the combination with a magnet radiating from the axis of its support, an armature also radiating from the axis of support, said magnet and armature having outer end and.

axial poles coiiperating to produce relative oscillatory and lateral movements when said magnet is energized,'-the oscillatory member being normally held against but adapted to be free for oscillation by said lateral movement. 1

2. In an electro-mechanical motion device, the combination with a magnet radiating from the axis of its support,an armature also radiating from the axis of support, said magnet and armature having outer end and ,.axial 'polescooperating to produce relative oscillatory and lateral movements when said magnet is energized, and cam elements .on

said members operativeunder lateral motion 4 to insure the final partof the oscillatory motion.

3. In an electro-mechanical motion device,

the combination with a supporting spindle, of a field magnet supported by and radiating from said spindle, an armature also sup.-

ported by and radiating from said spindle,m one of said spindle supported elements having oscillatory andlateral motion thereof,

said magnet and armature having outerv end and axial poles'ooiiperating when the field magnet is energized to produce oscillatory and lateral motion in the movable element,

the said spindle supporting elements having coiiperating spring engaged cam elements for insuring complete oscillatory movements.

4. In an electro-mechanicalmotiondevice, the combination with a spindle, of a field magnet rigidly supported by andradiating from said spindle, anormally held armature mounted for oscillatory and lateral move-- ments on said spindle, said magnet and arspindle, said magnet and armature having coiiperating outer end and axial poles for producing oscillatory and lateral movements of said armature when said field magnet is energized, a reversely beveled cam movable with said armature, a coiiperating cam-pin fixed in respect to said magnet, and a spring oscillatory and tending-to press said cam and cam-pin into contact, to cause the same to complete the oscillatory movements of said armature.

6. In an electro-m'echanical motion device, the combination with a magnet radiating from the axis of its support, an armature also radiating from the axis of support, said magnet and armature having outer end and axial. poles cooperating to produce relative oscillatory and lateral movements when said magnet is energized, and yielding. means for holding the movable element in extreme p0- sitions'but arranged to be released by such lateral movement.

7. In an electro-mechanical motion device, the combination with a magnet radiating from the axis of its support, an armature also radiating from the axis of support, said magnet and armature having outer end and axial poles cooperating to produce relative oscillatory and lateral movements when said magnet isenergized, yielding means for holding the movable element in extreme p0 sltlons, said means comprising an approximately V-shaped cam flange on one of the.

members, a cam projection on the other of said members, and a spring tending to hold said cam flange and pin in engagement.

8. In an electro-mechanical motion device, the combination with a plurality of radially disposed, circumferentially spaced, relatively fixed magnets, having outer end poles and a common axial pole, of a cooperating pivotally and laterally movable armature having outer end poles for cooperation with the outer end poles of said magnets, and having a common axial pole forcoiiperation with the common axial magnetic pole, whereby when said magnets are energized, said armature Wlll be moved laterally and released and then oscillated.

9. In an electro-mechanical motion device,

the combination with a plurality of radially disposed, circumferentially spaced, rela tlvely fixed magnets. having outer end poles and a common axial pole, of a coiiperating pivotally and laterally movable armature having outer end poles for cooperation with the outer end poles of said magnets, and havin a common axial pole for cooperation with the rommon axial magnetic pole, said armature being normally held against oscillation but arranged to be released for oscillation by said lateral motion, whereby when said magnets are energized. said armature will be oscillated and moved laterally, and ylelding means for holding said armature in extreme positions.

10. In an eleotro-mechanical motion device, the combination with a plurality of radially disposed, circumferentially spaced. relatively fixed'magnets. having outer end poles and a common axial pole, of a coiiperating pivotally and laterally movable armature having outer end poles for cooperation with the outer end poles of said magnets, and

having a common axial pole for cooperation with the common axial magnetic pole, Whereby when said magnets are energized, said armature will be oscillated and moved laterally, and cooperating spring pressed cam elements on said magnet and armature elements, operative yieldingly to hold said armature in extreme positions and to insure completion of its oscillatory movements.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of a Witness.

, HARRY J. HANKEE.

Witness CLARA DEMAREST. 

